Analysis of heavy metals concentration in Kano herbal preparations for major disease conditions

The use of herbal medicines for treatment, management and prevention of different disease conditions has been as old as human history. These herbs usually contained some chemical substances which are considered as beneficial, while others were not. Study of the levels of some essential (Copper, Cadmium, Cobalt, Iron, Manganese, Nickel and zinc) and toxic (Cd and Pb) heavy metals content of herbal preparations sold in Kurmi market of Kano state, Nigeria was carried out. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of essential and toxic heavy metals in Kano herbal preparations used for commonly identified disease conditions. The samples were digested by wet digestion method with nitric acid and perchloric acids and analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS). The data obtained were statistically treated and the results presented as mean of three replicated. The range of mean concentrations of the essentials Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and toxic Cd, Pb heavy metals obtained were 4.94-10.03μg/g, 3.33-3.80μg/g, 163.04-350.95 μg/g, 57.57-65.05μg/g, 9.94-15.63μg/g,, 6.86-66.59 μg/g and 1.53-3.23μg/g, 3.75-35.24 μg/g respectively. The level of contamination of the herbal preparation with the toxic heavy metals indicated 100% of the samples analyzed contained cadmium above WHO permissible limits (0.3μg/g) specified for herbal medicine and 33% of the samples contained lead (Pb) above WHO permissible limits (10μg/g) specified for herbal medicine. The gross level of contamination of these herbal preparations with Pb and Cd metals could be associated to poor adherence to quality control requirements such as current/good manufacturing practice (CGMP) and effective surveillance/enforcement. There is need for commitment for immediate action by both the herbal medicine practitioners and the relevant stakeholders in order to avert impending health hazards due to the tendency of gradual accumulation of these toxic metals in the body system of the consumers of these herbal preparations in order to attain to safe and effective herbal medicine usage in Nigeria.Keywords: Disease conditions, Heavy metals, Herbal preparations, Kan

Relationship between pharmaceutical pricing strategies with price, availability, and affordability of cardiovascular disease medicines: Surveys in Qatar and Lebanon

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Lebanon and Qatar. When lifestyle modifications prove insufficient, medication becomes a cornerstone in controlling such diseases and saving lives. Price, availability, and affordability hinder the equitable access to medicines. The study aimed to assess prices, availability, and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in relation to pricing strategies in Qatar and Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a variant of the World Health Organization and Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology as outlined in "Measuring medicine prices, availability, affordability and price components" (2008), second edition, was adopted. Prices and availability of 27 cardiovascular medicines were collected from public and private dispensing outlets. For international comparison, prices were adjusted to purchasing power parity. Data was analyzed across multiple sectors, within and across countries. Results: A total of 15 public and private outlets were surveyed in each country. Prices were more uniform in Qatar than in Lebanon. In the public sector, medicines were free-of-charge in Lebanon and priced lower than the international reference prices in Qatar. The ratio of medicine unit price to international reference price in the private sectors surveyed are significantly higher than the acceptable threshold of 4. This ratio of originator brands and lowest priced generics in Qatar were up to two and five times those in Lebanon, respectively, even after adjusting for purchasing power parity. However, prices of lowest priced generics in the private sector were at least 35% cheaper in Qatar and 65% cheaper in Lebanon than their comparative originator brands. Medicines were more available in the private sector in Lebanon than in Qatar, but only the originator brand availability in the public sector in Qatar exceeded the WHO target of more than 80%. While affordable in the public sector in Qatar, four out of thirteen medicines exceeded the threshold in all private sectors covered. Hence, only the public sector in Qatar had a satisfying level of availability and affordability. Conclusions: Except for the Qatari public sector, medicine prices, availability, and affordability are falling short from targets. Key policy decisions should be implemented to improve access to medicines. - 2019 The Author(s).This study was supported by Qatar University with the grants’ numbers (QUST-CPH-SPR-15/16–7 & QUST-CPH-SPR\2017–18). It funded the collection of data and a revision of the written English. The publication fee for this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Ambiguous positionalities: Bangladeshi migrant men in The Hague

In the context of post 9/11, Muslim migrant men in the Europe come under scrutiny where their masculinity is perceived as problematic. They are seen as patriarchal, traditional and conservative within their family, and as potential political/terrorist threat for the society. With this context in mind, this research wishes to understand how Bangladeshi migrant men in The Hague, Netherlands, experience process of marginalisation resulting from the post 9/11 perceptions. I have argued that the process of marginalisation for Bangladeshi migrant men in The Hague is embedded in the intersection of gender, race, colour, class, religion and ethnicity. However, these intersections are uneven, complex and dynamic. Power relations and identities that give them advantage is one context, make them vulnerable in another context. Their darker skin colour and South Asian facial features, for example, save them from direct Islamophobia. Their low-class position protects them from direct competition with white Dutch men. However, once their religious affiliations are disclosed, they are shunned by Dutch neighbours, and their socio-economic position brings them in competition with other migrants. I have focused on three social spheres – the workplace, the family and the wider Dutch society – to understand positionality of Bangladeshi migrant men in relation to other migrant communities as well as white Dutch men. The results of my research show an ambiguous and complex scenario where Bangladeshi migrant men take part in some racist discourses of Dutch society while rejecting others, create negative stereotypes of other migrant communities while claiming some similarities with them, question family dedication of other Muslim communities while going to their mosque. Furthermore, Bangladeshi migrant men negotiate their marginalised masculinity by stressing their breadwinner role, good manners and family dedication, and judge themselves better family men than other migrant and white Dutch men. At the same time, Bangladeshi migrant men live in a ‘Bangladesh bubble’ where their life is organised around links and relationships with people from Bangladesh, and with other Bangladeshi migrants. While this means a (self)isolation from Dutch society, this bubble allows them to ignore hegemonic notions and practices of white Dutch masculinity in Netherlands, and creates their own ideals of masculinity. Ultimately, they stood out as ideal men, better than white Dutch and other migrants. This showed us that the process of marginalisation is context specific. Men from different position face and negotiate marginalisation differently

Comparative quality assessment of wine produced from green and purple grapes using Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from fermented milk

This research aimed at the comparative quality assessment of wine produced from green and purple grapes using saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from fermented milk. The yeast was isolated using the pour plate technique and identified using cultural morphology, microscopic appearance, the carbohydrate utilization (sugar) test and ethanol tolerance test. Green and purple grapes were placed in different conical flask. The flask were designated as GGW and PGW for each sample respectively. Each sample (1000 ml) in the flask was inoculated with 2 ml 1.0 x 106 CFU of S. cerevisiae / mL , mixed with 0.2 ml 10% sodium metabisulfite, fermented for 5 days at room temperature, degassed and stirred daily, pasteurized at 60°C to stop the fermentation process and evaporated in a rotary evaporator at 60°C to remove the alcohol. Changes in temperature, pH, titratable acidity, volatile acidity, alcohol content, specific gravity (physicochemical parameters) were determined at intervals using standard methods. The must and the produced wines were subjected to several analysis. The produced wines were subjected to a proximate analysis, microbial analysis (total bacteria, coliform and total yeast counts) and sensory evaluated using nine-point hedonic scale by 10 experts (employees and students) and a shelf life of the produced wine were also determined. The yeast isolate was microscopically suspected to have the same colony morphology as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As it was observed that glucose, maltose, fructose, galactose and sucrose were used up by the yeast isolates: The yeast isolate had an ethanol tolerance of up to 14%. The physicochemical parameters were relatively stable throughout the wine production process. The temperature ranged from 27°C - 28°C. The pH rose after fermentation. The specific weight decreased in all produced wines. Results of the proximate composition of green and purple grape wines showed varied percentages. The microbial analysis showed that bacterial isolates were dominated by yeast isolates. The sensory evaluation showed that both green and purple grape wine had an overall acceptance. The shelf life results showed that purple wine got spoilt faster than green wines. This study has shown that locally isolated yeast strains can be used to produce wines from locally available fruits which can yield good nutritional and microbiological quality

Ambient vibration response of precast hollow core flooring system

Prestressed precast hollow core is known as a long span slab with a void along its length. The void has a big influence on the weight of the slab. In vibration theory, a lightweight slab with a long span is very sensitive to vibration. In this study, the ambient vibration response of precast hollow core is investigated using the finite element method and modal analysis. Numerical analysis is used to predict the floor vibration and modal testing is used to test the vibration performance of floors on the actual site. The prediction data is obtained by using SAP2000 to determine the vibration behaviour and compared with the modal testing result of the floor located in Kuala Lumpur. The 1st mode shape appeared for 12 natural frequencies between 8.36 Hz to 9.29Hz in the prediction analysis. For modal testing, the vibration behaviour of the actual hollow core floor is determined using an ambient test. The data was obtained using an accelerometer and analysed using Artermis software to determine natural frequencies, damping ratio and mode shape. The 1st mode of natural frequencies for floor area A and area B were 8.45Hz and 9.34Hz. The results from the analysis show that the range of natural frequency between the predicted analysis and that of the modal testing is acceptable. The limitation stated that 10Hz is the cut-off frequency to determine the class of the floor. From the analysis, it is shown that the prediction and the modal testing results are accepted where both floors are classified as low-frequency floors

The effect of synthesis method on the structure, and magnetic and photocatalytic properties of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles

Samples of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles have been synthesized through the co-precipitation route in cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (Hem_PR), via a citric acid sol-gel method (Hem_SG) and a modified sol-gel method inTween20 (Hem_TW), and each were annealed at three different temperatures (400, 500 and 600 °C). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission and high-resolution electron microscopy (TEM and HRTEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and by means of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). In addition, the photocatalytic behaviour of each sample was tested on the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in solution. All the characterization techniques showed the formation of phases of pure hematite nanoparticles with improved crystallinity after higher temperature annealing. However, the nanoparticles synthesized in Tween 20 showed the smallest particle size and highest BET surface area, saturation magnetization and photocatalytic activity. Of particular note was the ability of Tween 20 to control the growth of the particles so that grain sizes well below 10 nm were obtained. Thus, Tween 20, when used as a surfactant in the sol-gel route, can serve to improve the physical properties of synthesized hematite nanoparticles.Keywords: Hematite, nanoparticles, Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic properties, Tween 20, photocatalysi

Attitudes and practices of community pharmacists and barriers to their participation in public health activities in Yemen: Mind the gap

Background: Patients in Yemen commonly visit community pharmacies to obtain consultation or treatment for common ailments. Community pharmacists have an opportunity to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes and practices of community pharmacists regarding their participation in public health activities and barriers to their participation in these activities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among community pharmacists working in pharmacies located in urban areas of the Aden governorate of Yemen from March to June 2017 using a self-administered questionnaire. We selected pharmacies from a line list using proportional sampling according to the number of pharmacies in the urban areas of each district. The questionnaire contained four sections: demographic characteristics, attitudes, practices, and barriers encountered. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the Chi-square test was used for analyzing the association of variables (alpha = 0.05). Results: The questionnaire was distributed to 200 community pharmacists working in community pharmacies. Of the 200 respondents, 62% (n = 124) were male. Overall, the mean age (sd) was 30.0 years (8.6) with the number of years of work experience between 2 and 9.9 years (n = 158, 79%). On average, 62.3% of the pharmacists had a positive attitude toward participation in public health activities. Providing education to stop tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol drinking and improve oral hygiene was an important activity of the community pharmacists. Blood pressure measurements (86%, n = 172) and glucose tests (45%, n = 90) were commonly conducted for clients. Lack of time (71%, n = 142) and lack of teamwork (70%, n = 140) were mentioned as common barriers to participation in public health activities. Conclusions: Community pharmacists had a positive attitude toward public health activities. Health education and routine health tests were important practices of the community pharmacists. Barriers need to be overcome to enable more active participation by community pharmacists in public health activities by consulting with all stakeholders, assessing the situation, considering alternatives and taking action.Scopu

Assessment of Dapagliflozin Effectiveness as Add-on Therapy for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Qatari Population

The effectiveness of dapagliflozin in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM) is an essential issue for establishing a basis for prescribing dapagliflozin. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dapagliflozin in combination with other hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. This retrospective observational study included all patients who visited the endocrine clinics at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and were treated with dapagliflozin. Demographics and laboratory data were obtained retrospectively from computerized patient medical profiles (eMR-viewer). The main outcome measures were the differences in HbA1c and FBG from baseline at different months. Eighty-one Qatari patients were found to have received dapagliflozin during the study period; 72% of them (n = 58) were males, with a mean age of 57.0 ± 9.0 years and a mean baseline HbA1c of 9.0 ± 1.4%. Administration of dapagliflozin as an add-on therapy was found to decrease HbA1c significantly by 0.8 percentage point after 6 months (P = 0.006) and by 1.5 percentage point after 12 months (P = 0.062). FBG was significantly reduced at 6 months and 9 months (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Dapagliflozin effectively reduced the HbA1c level and FBG when used in combination with other OHAs or insulin within 6 to 12 months. © 2019, The Author(s).Ethical approval. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Medical Research Center of Hamad Medical Corporation. The authors would like to thank the Hamad Medical Corporation for proving the research funding. This work was supported by the Medical Research Center of Hamad Medical Corporation [grant number 15292/15].Scopu